Question about breathing for everyone

Hi folks, I have a question, am I the only one who struggles with this or is it normal?
If I relax my neck and throat, my throat closes and I can't breathe through it. Not just during sleep but anytime.
Is that normal? Does everyone have to use some effort to hold their breathing pathway open all the time or is it just me?
Thanks for your input!

sewsleepy wrote:Hi folks, I have a question, am I the only one who struggles with this or is it normal?
If I relax my neck and throat, my throat closes and I can't breathe through it. Not just during sleep but anytime.
Is that normal? Does everyone have to use some effort to hold their breathing pathway open all the time or is it just me?

To my knowledge keeping ones breathing pathway open is not a consciously controlled act, and it's certainly not for me, so I would have to say, no, it's not normal. I have woken up choking with my breathing pathway closed, and gasped for air until it reopened.

I don't really understand what you mean, because if it happens when you relax, I'd assume that would mean it would happen the moment you'd fall asleep. In which case you'd be in serious trouble. Of course the point of cpap is to stop it from happening during sleep, whether partially or fully.

If you're referring to something that happens even when awake and sitting up then you need to see a doctor, preferably a psychologist. You might also want to Google "globus hystericus" for an interesting read. Also consider using a soft cervical collar in bed to keep your head up, airway open and jaw closed.

No, what I mean is that my neck / throat muscles feel chronically fatigued because it always takes some amount of effort to keep my breathing pathway open. I'm not saying a lot of effort but it's the fact it's continual. I guess I have a small throat and then if I get any swelling from allergies or like this time of year, dry air, or the like, it becomes pretty narrow. I do have a hard time with this when sleeping and that is why I'm on cpap, but I just wondered if anyone else can relate to the feeling of the neck never being able to fully and completely relax?

So it sounds like no?

I don't get where the suggestion for mental help comes from, sheesh.

I'm sorry if you misunderstood, but I felt you might have become aware of your airway 'behaviour' because of starting Cpap - you certainly wouldn't be the first by a mile and it happens unconsciously, your body responds to your brain's anxiety - and that can become a vicious circle - being told your airway's narrow, becoming aware of it, and so trying to somehow control it, muscles, etc. - which would of course make them tired. It's not a question of being 'mental', only of being human. If you really feel your airway structures are weak or sore, etc., you do need to see a doctor (not a shrink ) but if it's a matter of just becoming more aware of them because of OSA, you might want some help to relax... no biggie meant!

sewsleepy wrote:No, what I mean is that my neck / throat muscles feel chronically fatigued because it always takes some amount of effort to keep my breathing pathway open. I'm not saying a lot of effort but it's the fact it's continual. I guess I have a small throat and then if I get any swelling from allergies or like this time of year, dry air, or the like, it becomes pretty narrow. I do have a hard time with this when sleeping and that is why I'm on cpap, but I just wondered if anyone else can relate to the feeling of the neck never being able to fully and completely relax?

So it sounds like no?

No, definitely not conscious of the effort that my body is making to keep my airway open during the day, just don't feel it. And don't feel any tiredness as a result of that. Is this a new thing, or have you always been conscious of this? The narrow airway sounds like the key here. You might talk with your doctor about it if it's a matter of concern for you, and see what they think about it. We have an email channel to our doctors at our clinic here, and you can ask a question like that. They'll either answer, if that makes sense, or ask you to set up an appointment to discuss it.

sewsleepy wrote:No, what I mean is that my neck / throat muscles feel chronically fatigued because it always takes some amount of effort to keep my breathing pathway open.

I don't in any way mean this in a negative way, but for me it's hard to understand what you mean, because the breathing pathway is inside of our body and not something that, at least to my knowledge, we can consciously control. But of course the reason it may be hard to understand is that I've never experienced any relationship between holding my head or relaxing my neck muscles and being able to breathe.

So it sounds like no?

Definitely no, I think you should see a doctor and explain and demonstrate what you are talking about, and see what they recommend.

I totally understand what you mean. I have an enlarged thyroid and it feels like its making my airway tired a lot of the time...like effort is needed to open my throat and breathe. I went to my ENT and he said he didn't see any constriction. He said I have a large tongue though...and we discussed a surgical option to open up my throat more. I know what you mean.

You should see an ENT, so they can scope it in the office real quick. It could be any number of things, or nothing of concern, but should be checked either way

Thanks, Julie, I see where you're coming from. I've been on cpap about 6 years now. This airway thing has been sneaking up on me for some time, I think, and I just finally am trying to discern if something is wrong or not.

Trying2sleep, thanks for your input, I am relieved to hear you understand what I mean! I also have thyroid disease, but I'm not aware of my thyroid being enlarged. This is a thought. I will ask my doc about it next visit.

I sure appreciate your responses, thanks a lot.